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Sketch walked down the street, fighting to keep his eyes open. He hadn't been able to sleep the previous night and had incidentally heard the interlude between Wolf and Angel. At first at the sound of Angel's voice, he froze, unwilling to move. But then he realized that she had no idea that he was here. She was there for Wolf. He had chuckled at the thought of tough Angel wanting to take on Wolf and the very thought of Wolf being in love was just absurd. But he was certainly acting like he was. That morning at least. But now he was not. He was focused on the task ahead, ready and willing. They were going to make rounds through a few surrounding districts surrounding Queens, that included Brooklyn. Ross had laughed at the worried look on Sketch's face and had slapped him on the back good-naturedly. "Aw, doncha worry Mike ol' boy! We'll keep Spot Conlon offa yer case!" He had laughed. Sketch had managed a weak smile, but not much else. It worried him.
Finally they arrived in the dreaded district. Newsies stood on the corner calling out the headlines. He knew, he knew before they got there that Wolf was going to parade them past Jade's selling spot. He could even see her in the distance as they walked closer and closer. Suddenly, he grabbed the bowler hat off of Ross' head. Ross yelped and frowned. "Whaddya do dat fer Mike? Dat's me duds an' ya know it!" He said, making a grab for the hat. "Cool it Ross! I'll give it right back afta we pass dis goil!" Sketch hissed, plopping the hat low on his head. Ross eyed him suspicously, before his face cleared. "Oh I see! She used ta be yer goil! Ya don't want her botherin' ya is dat it? Geez ya coulda tol' me dat Mike! I'm a sucka fer guys wit' crazy ex-goils." Ross said knowingly. Sketch nodded feverishly as he made his way to the very middle of the boys so that Jade couldn't see him. He saw her falcon-like eyes scan them suspicously and he could have sworn that her eyes clapped on him for more than a second, but she looked away and he gave a sigh of relief.
Jade looked back at the boys again. They were suspicious looking to her. Especially the one hiding in the middle. He looked like he was hiding. But she had no business with street urchins other than the ones she knew herself, so she dropped the matter. But it would not be dropped. It kept nagging at her brain, and it heightened as she saw Angel Higgins sneaking around in the alleys. "Whatcha doin' Higgins?" She asked. Angel stopped stiff, then turned to face her. "Nothin'. Jest, nothin'." She stuttered, trying to look at ease. "Yer followin' dem boys aincha? I know you Higgins." Jade said knowingly. Angel blushed then shrugged. "What if I am?" She asked. "I wanna go witcha." Jade said. A huge crash sounded behind them and the two girls turned to see the fallen figures of Sunshine, Cowboy, Picks, Pockets, Taps and little Ice. Actually Ice was the only one standing. Her little hands were on her face, her little mouth in an o-shape. "I'se so sorry! I didn't mean ta kick da boxes so hard! Dey jest fell down!" She said.
"No kiddin' Ice. Great job. Oh! Jade! Angel! How lovely ta see ya's!" Picks stuttered as he tried to pull himself out from under the boxes. "Yeah, lovely day no?" Pockets grumbled as he pulled himself out. Finally the Higgins children untwisted themselves from the box and stood before Jade and Angel. "Was you guys followin' me?" Angel demanded. "Mebey. We wanted ta know where you was goin'." Picks explained. "Yeah. Fairy an' Grabs is gonna back us up. Dey're a few blocks behind us." Pockets said. Angel slapped her hand to her forehead. "Cain't I go nowhere widout you guys followin' me everywheres?" She asked. The others scuffled their feet in the dirt and didn't say a word. "We figured ya'd need help. Dat's all." Taps muttered. Angel shook her head. "Ya cain't come. None of ya's. I gotta do dis alone." Angel said, taking a step backwards. "Oh no ya don't! Me an' Pockets an' Cowboy an' Fairy an' Grabs is older dan ya's, so ya gotta let us go an' protect ya!" Picks protested.
"Believe me, I don't need no protection! Please go home!" Angel said. Cowboy crossed his arms. "I'm against dis whole ting anyway, but da boys gots a point. We's older dan ya's an' we ain't 'bout ta let ya go alone." Cowboy said firmly. Angel threw her hands in the air. "I don't need yer help or protection! I kin protect meself! I need ta go by meself!" She protested. "Does dat mean me too Angel?" Jade asked. Angel stopped for a moment, then put her hand on Jade's shoulder. "If ya don't mind." She said quietly. Jade shrugged. "I do mind. But I don't got no choice do I?" She asked. Angel shook her head and took her leave of them, running as soon as they were out of her sight. The Higgins children and Jade stood alone in the street. Finally Picks spoke, eyeing Jade. "You tinkin' what I'm tinkin'?" He asked. Jade nodded and fingered her slingshot. "Yeah. We cain't let her go alone. Sometin's goin' on an' I don't like it." She murmured.
Angel turned around the corner, screeching to a halt as she almost fell upon the boys hiding spot. They were all standing in an alley talking among themselves. Their faces were all serious, but none were so serious as Wolf's. His was focused and intense, prepared for the strike ahead. He whispered a few orders to a few of the boys, who ran out around the corner. Then he whispered to a boy with sandy blonde hair, who looked strangely familiar to Angel. The boy paled briefly then nodded, running around the corner as well. Angel shook her head and watched as Wolf and the other boys followed the others around the corner. She carefully crept to the end of the alley and watched them. They were leaving the district, going in the direction of Queens. Angel took a deep breath and followed them.
By the time the group got to Queens, Angel had had several close calls. Twice, Wolf had turned around unexpectedly and Angel had had to duck in an alley. Both of those times she could have sworn that he had seen her, but she was thankful that he had not. Now the boys were in an alley, staring at a certain building. It was most obviously abandoned, the window's being covered with planks and the door practically falling off it's hinges. Wolf stared at it intently, then sent a few boys out. He soon followed. Angel crept to the end of the alley.
The boys were preparing to fire the building. Wolf stood straight and tall, staring stonily at the building as if to say, "I'm gonna take ya down. No matta what." Angel held her breath as one of the boys handed Wolf a match. Wolf smiled grimly and took it, swiping it against he building. Angel could see the delicate flame burning on the end of the little match, so small, but so deadly. Wolf's eyebrows narrowed as he muttered something, before he gently stooped down and began to edge the fire close to the building.
It all happened so quickly that the boys didn't know what to do. They flew into a panic as the gunshots rang out around them. They weren't playing with average street rats. This time they were playing with a fire greater than the ones they were starting. The boys ducked for cover as Angel's hand flew to her mouth in shock. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to face Jade Conlon, who's green eyes flashed with fury. "Stupid fools. Dey're gonna git it now. Help me out Higgins." She muttered, tossing her Sunshine's slingshot. Angel looked at her questioningly. "Sunny didn't want ta. I know what yer tinkin' Higgins. How can we take 'em out wit' jest dese tings? We cain't. But we kin confuse 'em a bit. Yer bruddas is on da south side waitin' fer me signal." Jade explained quickly.
She and Angel fixed the slingshots till they were ready, then Jade grabbed a red handkerchief out of her pocket and waved it out of the alley frantically. Instantly, the men in the windows began to grasp at their faces as the marbles shot out from all directions. This gave the boys below a chance to scurry for cover. Angel watched with anguish as the boy's limped to the alley, and some boys half carried their comrades. Some of the boys managed to get into the alley that the girls were in and as soon as they reached safety, they collapsed onto the dirty ground, their faces twisted in pain. Angel ceased firing and sat down on the ground beside one of the boys, a grubby Italian, who's face was contorted greatly as he clutched the bloody hole in his dirty pants.
Jade fired on final shot before joining Angel on the ground. "What's yer name kid?" Angel asked the Italian. He looked at her with pain-glazed brown eyes. "Me, me, name? Ross. What happened out dere? Everytin' was goin' accordin' ta plan. What happened?" He murmured. "Ya got busted. Jest like I knew ya would. Stupid kid, tryin' ta take on Osca Delancy. Yer leada's a fool too." Jade said angrily. Ross' head snapped to attention as his furious brown eyes clapped on Jade. "He ain't a fool! He's doin' what he tinks is right!" He said angrily, trying to get up from his spot on the ground. Jade pressed her hand firmly against his chest, pushing him down. "Don't git all flustery on me Ross. It's okay. I take most of it back. Yer leada's jest doin' whats in his best interest, even if it means gittin' ya killed." She said quietly. Ross sat back against the alley wall, somewhat calmer, but still upset.
The girls looked up as a tall boy staggered into the alley, another boy practically draped over his back. Angel's breath caught in her throat as she saw the dangling, lifeless face. "Wolf." She whispered as she jumped to her feet. Quincy stood still, panting in order to catch his breath. Jade walked over to him and stretched out her hands. Quincy eyed her momentarily, but a raised eyebrow from Jade made him comply. He carefully slipped the body into her arms and she laid him down against the wall. Angel turned around as the sound of panting again came to her ears. This time it was her brothers. Grabs, Picks, Pockets, Cowboy and Taps stood in front of her, staring at the boys lying in the alley. Grabs whistled as he looked at them. "Higgins." At the sound of Jade's voice, all the Higgins boys snapped to attention. She stood up. "Dese kids need some help. We need a docta." She said firmly. Taps scoffed. "C'mon Jade. Who's gonna help a buncha street rats?" He asked. Jade's green eyes narrowed. "On Fort road. Dere's a docta dat'll do it. It's in da centa of Brooklyn. Go git him. Docta Michaels." She called after him. Taps scoffed again as he started out. "Geez Jade! I know where Fort street is! Ya'd tink I'se jest a baby!" He muttered as he disappeared around the corner.
"How do ya know he'll help us Jade?" Angel asked incredulously, her hand slightly touching Wolf's outstretched one. "Cuz he's done it before. He kinda takes care of da underlings of dis place. Even takes care of most of da sweatshop injuries. He'll help us." Jade said firmly. Angel stared at Wolf's unconcious face, then looked up at Cowboy. "Is dere anymore? Dere's only four here. Dere's eight of 'em." She said. "I dunno Angel. Dere might be some in anudda alley not far from here. Picks an' Pockets go look." Cowboy ordered, his brothers running off quickly. Angel jumped as one of the boys sat straight up and yelled. "Where's me brudda? He was right behind me! Oh God if anytin' happens ta him I'll neva fergive meself! Where is he?" He shouted, his blue eyes darting around the alley.
"Take it easy. What's yer brudda's name?" Angel asked quietly, eyeing the peculiar snake-like design of freckles on the boy's pale face. "It's Spida. I need ta find him!" Snake said in a panicked tone of voice. "It's okay. Me bruddas went afta da uddas. Dey'll find him." She said reassuringly. Suddenly, a groan brought Angel to the side of Wolf. As his bright blue eyes opened and focused on her face, he smiled faintly. "Glad ya decided ta disobey." He said quietly. Angel smiled. "You know me." She answered. He chuckled then sobered. "I almost had him Angel. I almost had him." He murmured. Angel's face sobered and she gently pressed a kiss on his pale forehead.
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Sketch walked down the street, fighting to keep his eyes open. He hadn't been able to sleep the previous night and had incidentally heard the interlude between Wolf and Angel. At first at the sound of Angel's voice, he froze, unwilling to move. But then he realized that she had no idea that he was here. She was there for Wolf. He had chuckled at the thought of tough Angel wanting to take on Wolf and the very thought of Wolf being in love was just absurd. But he was certainly acting like he was. That morning at least. But now he was not. He was focused on the task ahead, ready and willing. They were going to make rounds through a few surrounding districts surrounding Queens, that included Brooklyn. Ross had laughed at the worried look on Sketch's face and had slapped him on the back good-naturedly. "Aw, doncha worry Mike ol' boy! We'll keep Spot Conlon offa yer case!" He had laughed. Sketch had managed a weak smile, but not much else. It worried him.
Finally they arrived in the dreaded district. Newsies stood on the corner calling out the headlines. He knew, he knew before they got there that Wolf was going to parade them past Jade's selling spot. He could even see her in the distance as they walked closer and closer. Suddenly, he grabbed the bowler hat off of Ross' head. Ross yelped and frowned. "Whaddya do dat fer Mike? Dat's me duds an' ya know it!" He said, making a grab for the hat. "Cool it Ross! I'll give it right back afta we pass dis goil!" Sketch hissed, plopping the hat low on his head. Ross eyed him suspicously, before his face cleared. "Oh I see! She used ta be yer goil! Ya don't want her botherin' ya is dat it? Geez ya coulda tol' me dat Mike! I'm a sucka fer guys wit' crazy ex-goils." Ross said knowingly. Sketch nodded feverishly as he made his way to the very middle of the boys so that Jade couldn't see him. He saw her falcon-like eyes scan them suspicously and he could have sworn that her eyes clapped on him for more than a second, but she looked away and he gave a sigh of relief.
Jade looked back at the boys again. They were suspicious looking to her. Especially the one hiding in the middle. He looked like he was hiding. But she had no business with street urchins other than the ones she knew herself, so she dropped the matter. But it would not be dropped. It kept nagging at her brain, and it heightened as she saw Angel Higgins sneaking around in the alleys. "Whatcha doin' Higgins?" She asked. Angel stopped stiff, then turned to face her. "Nothin'. Jest, nothin'." She stuttered, trying to look at ease. "Yer followin' dem boys aincha? I know you Higgins." Jade said knowingly. Angel blushed then shrugged. "What if I am?" She asked. "I wanna go witcha." Jade said. A huge crash sounded behind them and the two girls turned to see the fallen figures of Sunshine, Cowboy, Picks, Pockets, Taps and little Ice. Actually Ice was the only one standing. Her little hands were on her face, her little mouth in an o-shape. "I'se so sorry! I didn't mean ta kick da boxes so hard! Dey jest fell down!" She said.
"No kiddin' Ice. Great job. Oh! Jade! Angel! How lovely ta see ya's!" Picks stuttered as he tried to pull himself out from under the boxes. "Yeah, lovely day no?" Pockets grumbled as he pulled himself out. Finally the Higgins children untwisted themselves from the box and stood before Jade and Angel. "Was you guys followin' me?" Angel demanded. "Mebey. We wanted ta know where you was goin'." Picks explained. "Yeah. Fairy an' Grabs is gonna back us up. Dey're a few blocks behind us." Pockets said. Angel slapped her hand to her forehead. "Cain't I go nowhere widout you guys followin' me everywheres?" She asked. The others scuffled their feet in the dirt and didn't say a word. "We figured ya'd need help. Dat's all." Taps muttered. Angel shook her head. "Ya cain't come. None of ya's. I gotta do dis alone." Angel said, taking a step backwards. "Oh no ya don't! Me an' Pockets an' Cowboy an' Fairy an' Grabs is older dan ya's, so ya gotta let us go an' protect ya!" Picks protested.
"Believe me, I don't need no protection! Please go home!" Angel said. Cowboy crossed his arms. "I'm against dis whole ting anyway, but da boys gots a point. We's older dan ya's an' we ain't 'bout ta let ya go alone." Cowboy said firmly. Angel threw her hands in the air. "I don't need yer help or protection! I kin protect meself! I need ta go by meself!" She protested. "Does dat mean me too Angel?" Jade asked. Angel stopped for a moment, then put her hand on Jade's shoulder. "If ya don't mind." She said quietly. Jade shrugged. "I do mind. But I don't got no choice do I?" She asked. Angel shook her head and took her leave of them, running as soon as they were out of her sight. The Higgins children and Jade stood alone in the street. Finally Picks spoke, eyeing Jade. "You tinkin' what I'm tinkin'?" He asked. Jade nodded and fingered her slingshot. "Yeah. We cain't let her go alone. Sometin's goin' on an' I don't like it." She murmured.
Angel turned around the corner, screeching to a halt as she almost fell upon the boys hiding spot. They were all standing in an alley talking among themselves. Their faces were all serious, but none were so serious as Wolf's. His was focused and intense, prepared for the strike ahead. He whispered a few orders to a few of the boys, who ran out around the corner. Then he whispered to a boy with sandy blonde hair, who looked strangely familiar to Angel. The boy paled briefly then nodded, running around the corner as well. Angel shook her head and watched as Wolf and the other boys followed the others around the corner. She carefully crept to the end of the alley and watched them. They were leaving the district, going in the direction of Queens. Angel took a deep breath and followed them.
By the time the group got to Queens, Angel had had several close calls. Twice, Wolf had turned around unexpectedly and Angel had had to duck in an alley. Both of those times she could have sworn that he had seen her, but she was thankful that he had not. Now the boys were in an alley, staring at a certain building. It was most obviously abandoned, the window's being covered with planks and the door practically falling off it's hinges. Wolf stared at it intently, then sent a few boys out. He soon followed. Angel crept to the end of the alley.
The boys were preparing to fire the building. Wolf stood straight and tall, staring stonily at the building as if to say, "I'm gonna take ya down. No matta what." Angel held her breath as one of the boys handed Wolf a match. Wolf smiled grimly and took it, swiping it against he building. Angel could see the delicate flame burning on the end of the little match, so small, but so deadly. Wolf's eyebrows narrowed as he muttered something, before he gently stooped down and began to edge the fire close to the building.
It all happened so quickly that the boys didn't know what to do. They flew into a panic as the gunshots rang out around them. They weren't playing with average street rats. This time they were playing with a fire greater than the ones they were starting. The boys ducked for cover as Angel's hand flew to her mouth in shock. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to face Jade Conlon, who's green eyes flashed with fury. "Stupid fools. Dey're gonna git it now. Help me out Higgins." She muttered, tossing her Sunshine's slingshot. Angel looked at her questioningly. "Sunny didn't want ta. I know what yer tinkin' Higgins. How can we take 'em out wit' jest dese tings? We cain't. But we kin confuse 'em a bit. Yer bruddas is on da south side waitin' fer me signal." Jade explained quickly.
She and Angel fixed the slingshots till they were ready, then Jade grabbed a red handkerchief out of her pocket and waved it out of the alley frantically. Instantly, the men in the windows began to grasp at their faces as the marbles shot out from all directions. This gave the boys below a chance to scurry for cover. Angel watched with anguish as the boy's limped to the alley, and some boys half carried their comrades. Some of the boys managed to get into the alley that the girls were in and as soon as they reached safety, they collapsed onto the dirty ground, their faces twisted in pain. Angel ceased firing and sat down on the ground beside one of the boys, a grubby Italian, who's face was contorted greatly as he clutched the bloody hole in his dirty pants.
Jade fired on final shot before joining Angel on the ground. "What's yer name kid?" Angel asked the Italian. He looked at her with pain-glazed brown eyes. "Me, me, name? Ross. What happened out dere? Everytin' was goin' accordin' ta plan. What happened?" He murmured. "Ya got busted. Jest like I knew ya would. Stupid kid, tryin' ta take on Osca Delancy. Yer leada's a fool too." Jade said angrily. Ross' head snapped to attention as his furious brown eyes clapped on Jade. "He ain't a fool! He's doin' what he tinks is right!" He said angrily, trying to get up from his spot on the ground. Jade pressed her hand firmly against his chest, pushing him down. "Don't git all flustery on me Ross. It's okay. I take most of it back. Yer leada's jest doin' whats in his best interest, even if it means gittin' ya killed." She said quietly. Ross sat back against the alley wall, somewhat calmer, but still upset.
The girls looked up as a tall boy staggered into the alley, another boy practically draped over his back. Angel's breath caught in her throat as she saw the dangling, lifeless face. "Wolf." She whispered as she jumped to her feet. Quincy stood still, panting in order to catch his breath. Jade walked over to him and stretched out her hands. Quincy eyed her momentarily, but a raised eyebrow from Jade made him comply. He carefully slipped the body into her arms and she laid him down against the wall. Angel turned around as the sound of panting again came to her ears. This time it was her brothers. Grabs, Picks, Pockets, Cowboy and Taps stood in front of her, staring at the boys lying in the alley. Grabs whistled as he looked at them. "Higgins." At the sound of Jade's voice, all the Higgins boys snapped to attention. She stood up. "Dese kids need some help. We need a docta." She said firmly. Taps scoffed. "C'mon Jade. Who's gonna help a buncha street rats?" He asked. Jade's green eyes narrowed. "On Fort road. Dere's a docta dat'll do it. It's in da centa of Brooklyn. Go git him. Docta Michaels." She called after him. Taps scoffed again as he started out. "Geez Jade! I know where Fort street is! Ya'd tink I'se jest a baby!" He muttered as he disappeared around the corner.
"How do ya know he'll help us Jade?" Angel asked incredulously, her hand slightly touching Wolf's outstretched one. "Cuz he's done it before. He kinda takes care of da underlings of dis place. Even takes care of most of da sweatshop injuries. He'll help us." Jade said firmly. Angel stared at Wolf's unconcious face, then looked up at Cowboy. "Is dere anymore? Dere's only four here. Dere's eight of 'em." She said. "I dunno Angel. Dere might be some in anudda alley not far from here. Picks an' Pockets go look." Cowboy ordered, his brothers running off quickly. Angel jumped as one of the boys sat straight up and yelled. "Where's me brudda? He was right behind me! Oh God if anytin' happens ta him I'll neva fergive meself! Where is he?" He shouted, his blue eyes darting around the alley.
"Take it easy. What's yer brudda's name?" Angel asked quietly, eyeing the peculiar snake-like design of freckles on the boy's pale face. "It's Spida. I need ta find him!" Snake said in a panicked tone of voice. "It's okay. Me bruddas went afta da uddas. Dey'll find him." She said reassuringly. Suddenly, a groan brought Angel to the side of Wolf. As his bright blue eyes opened and focused on her face, he smiled faintly. "Glad ya decided ta disobey." He said quietly. Angel smiled. "You know me." She answered. He chuckled then sobered. "I almost had him Angel. I almost had him." He murmured. Angel's face sobered and she gently pressed a kiss on his pale forehead.
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